Fifteen years ago today, LeBron James exceeded the 50-point plateau for the first time in his career. LeBron scored 40 or more points five different times during the 2004-05 season. Those five times he exceeded this threshold that year are below. LeBron’s season high during his rookie year was 41.
- 40 Points vs. Atlanta Hawks on December 28, 2005
- 40 Points vs. Milwaukee Bucks on April 9, 2005
- 43 Points vs. Detroit Pistons on November 24, 2004
- 44 Points vs. New Orleans on March 28, 2005
- 56 Points vs. Toronto Raptors on March 20, 2005
15 years ago today, @KingJames became the youngest NBA player at the time to drop 50+ points in a single game.
Different 👑 pic.twitter.com/SVLW7Vnkhe
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 20, 2020
On March 20, 2005, LeBron’s Cavaliers were 34-30 when they arrived at the Air Canada Centre to take on the 28-38 Toronto Raptors. Current ESPN NBA Analyst, Jalen Rose, was arguably the team’s best player at the time, with an improving Chris Bosh not far behind.
Rose would finish the game with 30 points while Bosh added 11. But the night, even in a losing effort, belonged to James who poured in a new career high of 56 points.
LeBron attempted 36 field goals in the contest and made 18. He’d also shoot 50% from 3-point range, connecting on 6-of-12 triples and 14 free throws. He grabbed 10 boards for good measure, as well, while dishing out five assists. Cavs teammate, Drew Gooden, went for 24 and 10 in support of the King as Cleveland fell short on the road.
The Cavs trailed by only one point heading into the final period, but they were outlasted by Toronto who closed out and secured the 105-98 victory. But that wasn’t before James buried shot-after-shot on his way to offering one of the most prolific-scoring games of his legendary career.
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